Discussion: Take charge of your forums

Take charge of your forumsWhy are posts that rant against others, resort to name calling etc, last far beyond reasonable limits? Often several days.When a simple post regarding the ouster of these malcontents is immediately axed. Do you pick and chose who has a voice? I thought this was America. I guess this part of America is a dictatorship. A lot of what I see in these forums makes me wonder if I want to be involved with some of these people. It seems the schoolyard mentality and childish behavior has not left some of them. This behavior has just about killed softball, especially tournament play, in my area. Please be quicker to end posts that are obviously going in the wrong direction and yes take away the privilege to post if it gets out of hand. That is all I'm asking.

BigRed3:
I agree with almost everything that you have stated. It will help all of us to understand that Terry Hennessey has a journalistic background and this has bred in him strong feelings about free speech. He is certainly more liberal with this than I would be and this is neither a negative nor a positive all of the time.
In essence, he lets us go until we show our arse well beyond what seems reasonable. I really believe that he provides us with an excellent forum to air our views on various topics. He leaves it to each of us to use it without abusing it... obviously, at times we (some of us) go well 'past the line'.
Many have said that this same 'past the line' behavior is not prevalent at the ball fields... quite the opposite really.The converse of liberal monitoring is heavy censure.
The bottom line, IMO, is that we haven't held up on our end of the deal.
BW

Wood... you make an interesting point about what happens on the ballfield vs what takes place on this forum. I have played senior ball for 10 years now at all levels except AA and other than an occasional "heat of the moment" issue found most guys just want to play ball, compete, have a good time and enjoy themselves. The majority of players either know about the board and choose not to participate or don't even know about it. The bickering and negativity that goes on really doesn't affect most of us. I don't post much, but read at least weekly. I read to gain information about senior softball.. I could care less about political opinions, personal vendettas,or personal information about anyone that posts here.. If I want to go there, I go personal one on one and really feel that is where it belongs. Not everyone feels that way and that is ok... If someone wants to post contrary to either my feelings or what I feel is appropriate for this board, it is his or her right but I certainly don't have to respond. If they don't want to indentify themselves, it is ok with me and does not take anything away from the information they might be sharing. Personal attacks have no place on this board and certainly personal attacks from unidentified people are even worse. But, all is not bad.. There are some great folks in senior softball that we don't hear much about. Lets thank guys like Steve Imlay, Lenny, Woody and others that stepped up to the plate and helped out Fred Brown when he needed it most. That is, to me, what this softball stuff is all about. And it happens every day. Yes.. I am against the rule for balls over the fence being outs.. I don't like the DBO rule but realize we need to protect the pitcher... But would I stop playing softball because of these rules??? No way.. I would go back to woodedn bats and a 16" ball because it would still be fun. Not as much fun but still fun. For those of you that have stated you are discouraged at considering leaving softball because of all of the negativity on this board, take heart. 90% of the guys out there playing don't like the negativity either. I have also seen a few of those that are mentioned as being problems on this board on the field and they are a pleasure to play softball against and really are just like the rest of us just trying to enjoy themselves. Sorry for the long post. I will crawl back into my hole and hibernate again for another couple of months. See you tomorrow, Wood.

Hey Mike,
Great post.
Lots of feelings, thoughts and thoughtfulness
In a culture where many huge problems and conflicts lie just
below the surface of our interactions
it's painfully par for the course that passion, indignation
and conviction come into our debates. at times.
Real problems and solutions in a war torn world
can be no place for the feint of heart
but let's stay as respectful as is possible as we all attempt to move forward
together.
I can't stand it when I see someone make a judgement of another
when all it is really is a difference of opinion.
Free defensive substitution, for example, is a great idea for senior softball.
Everyone need not agree but all should be respectful of it and the rightful attempt
to express and popularize it.
It would generate a higher level of play
less injury, better team chemistry
with greater income and more participation in all senior tournaments..
and is effortless to implement.

Mike, you managed to use 843 words when 16 would have sufficed... this shows that you're learning... :-)
You are 99% correct... you know that this is much higher praise than you can usually expect from me.
But I cannot take credit for helping Fred Brown (I presume that you mean Joe Brown) since his surgeries. That should rightfully go to Lenny South, Steve & Carroll Imlay and many others... but not me.
Thanks just the same...
:-)
BW

Opps... must have been a FREdian slip.. I did mean Joe Brown and apologize ... don't know where my mind was... not an isolated event... my point was to those that might say they are considering getting out of senior softball because of negativity on this posting board. There is a heck of a lot more good than bad...

Joe... don't know why you picked free substitution as something to mention but there is a subject we are in 100% agreement upon. For those that say "it isn't real baseball" to free sub, I would submit to them that they are very correct. Senior softball is not the same as professional baseball... it isn't meant to be... at least from my perspective. Why not allow more guys to play??? It would, indeed, encourage more participation. And... as the WOOD will, I am sure, add his two cents.... get me off the field defensively which would enhance my teams chances greatly..

I agree, the pitcher could use a little protection, especially in 60 and up age brackets so why not use a screen, like a lot of rec leagues do? Then everyone could "swing away". The pitcher is protected AND the DBO rule could be eliminated. Also, let home runs be home runs for ALL age groups. If the Big Boys want to hit home run after home run, LET THEM!!!. I personally think a game that turns into a home run contest is boring to play and watch, but if that is what they want, so be it. All these goofy rules take some of the fun out of the game.

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